Environmental news from California and beyond

Debate over renewing sewage outfall on Orange County coast

A permit that regulates the daily discharge of millions of gallons of treated wastewater into the ocean from an outfall off of Aliso Beach in South Laguna Beach has expired and is up for renewal.

The South Laguna Civic Assn. opposes the renewal of the National Pollution Discharge Elimination System permit. The South Orange County Wastewater Authority, of which Laguna is a member, supports the renewal.

A draft of the new permit will be distributed for public comment and hearings will be conducted by the state Regional Water Quality Control Board, probably in March or April.

"This is a serious issue," said association Vice President Michael Beanan. "We don't want it swept under a rug."

In a letter to the Coastline Pilot, Bean questioned if it was not time to raise a stink about ocean sewage discharge.

"The discharge is not drinking water, but it is fully treated," said David Shissler, director of water quality for the city. "We are part of SOCWA, which is in the business of complying with the permits."